The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has filed comments on EPA’s interpretive rule regarding the Clean Water Act. They’ve asked the agency to throw it out. NCBA Environmental Counsel Ashley McDonald says the rule narrows the definition of normal farming practices and gives EPA and Army Corps of Engineers un limited power in regulating farming practices. She says it also makes NRCS a regulatory compliance agency which Congress never intended
McDonald says when the interpretive rule first came out in April it went into effect right away prior to any consulting with agriculture interests or having any public comment given on it.
McDonald says if the Interpretive Rule stays in effect it will hurt conservation on the ground and damage rancher’s relationship with NRCS.